Metal volatility creates supply deficit

Amid the global knock-on effects of Covid-19 in every industry, and despite the impending deficit caused by high demand and low supply, international commodities consultancy Core Consultants states... 

PGMs faring well during pandemic

While Covid-19 continues to pose challenges for several industries, the mining industry, specifically platinum group metal (PGM) mines, has been somewhat less affected. Mining advisory company... 

Hydrogen plant to power truck

Energy transition leader ENGIE has contracted Pretoria-based engineering firm Thermtron Scientific to provide balance of plant services for the on-site hydrogen plant of the Mogalakwena mine, in... 

Mining production fell in November

As a consequence of renewed lockdown regulations in key trading partner countries, domestic mining production took a nosedive in November as it dropped by 11.6% year-on-year (y/y). This likely... 

Business relationship mutually beneficial

The international partnership between sawmill technology supplier Newsaw and Italy-based biomass boilers and heating solutions provider Uniconfort has resulted in power solutions, power... 

Drone tech allows for expansion

With technology advancement in the drone industry and drone access expanding from military to commercial use, rope access specialists Skyriders found that drones could be successfully used in the... 

Mixer successfully increases plant efficiency

German drive technology manufacturer SEW Eurodrive provided its services and gearboxes for a mixer replacement which was fabricated by family-owned feed milling original equipment manufacturer... 

TASEZ on track, boosts enterprise involvement

Despite the challenges for projects throughout the year, including Covid-19, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) remains within its timeline and budget. “The project is in the... 

TASEZ a ground-breaking initiative for industry

The development of the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) represents a ground-breaking initiative as it aims to create Africa’s first automotive city, with direct economic benefit to... 

System uses existing comms for data transfer

Communication plays a vital role in mine operations, and mining safety solutions provider Strata Worldwide now offers DigitalBRIDGE Plus+, which allows mines to take existing leaky feeder... 

Consulting engineers boost project portfolio

Platinum producer Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) has appointed engineering, design and project management company COENG Consulting and Construction Engineers to provide ad hoc professional... 

Safe, custom-made ERCs increase safety

Increased scrutiny on mine safety and targets for zero harm have ensured that emergency refuge chambers (ERC) have become vital to mining operations, and mining safety solutions provider Strata... 

More communities to benefit from Moma mine following plant relocation

Through constant involvement in and development of its surrounding communities, titanium minerals producer Kenmare Resources notes that its increased ilmenite production, and the subsequent effect... 

More 4IR integration needed from mining

The advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has had a significant impact on all facets of society, but international investment company StratisQ Group notes that the mining industry needs... 

Manganese expertise boosts service to mines

Geological service provider Minrom states that its dedicated team of geologists, with years of manganese mining expertise, can provide crucial decision-making services for manganese mines in the... 

Iron-ore, copper doing well amid pandemic

Covid-19 negatively impacted the demand for all industrial commodities, but not all markets were impacted equally, explains investment management provider Sanlam Private Wealth. Commodities on... 

Reducing regulatory burden remains critical

When comparing the legislative environments of different mining regimes on the African continent, law firm Webber Wentzel notes that the two highest ranked countries in terms of the 2019 Fraser... 

Procurement boosts local economy

With low economic growth and high unemployment, South Africa’s economy is under intense pressure. Management consultancy Kearney’s research indicates that particularly mining and mining-related... 

Site training continues online during pandemic

The onset of Covid-19 resulted in many companies moving aspects of their operations to online and virtual platforms, and contractor and management solutions provider KBC Health & Safety has made... 

Preventive measures vital for ‘new normal’ commercial operations

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, facilities management service provider Facilities Management (FM) Solutions points out that companies need to create a preventive maintenance plan for the... 

Preventive maintenance an active solution

In large operating plants, whether power generation, or petrochemicals, rope access specialists Skyriders strongly recommends that clients carry out preventive, rather than reactive, maintenance.... 

Pandemic effects still felt in valves industry

Industrial equipment supplier Dupleix Liquid Meters (DLM) believes that the national lockdown has placed a strain across countless industries and feels that there is a long road ahead before things... 

Lack of local OEMs hinders valve industry

The lack of local original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) has led to a low availability of valve components and spares – particularly during the Covid-19 period – which has, consequently, resulted... 

Industry body promotes support interventions for local foundries

Industry support provider the National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN) is promoting pressure-equipment-directive support interventions in the local foundry industry and these interventions are in... 

Covid-19 mining regulations affect exploration

While there were no exploration-specific regulatory changes because of Covid-19, the regulations applied to the mining industry ultimately affected exploration projects. 

Service provider returns to exploration

With an existing and substantial fleet of exploration drill rigs, geotechnical service specialist Geogroup intends to get back to the exploration space. “Geomech Africa, a subsidiary company of... 

AI analytics give greater insight into exploration

Geospatial analytics specialist Descartes Labs offers a unique and powerful analytics platform that provides its clients with a wide range of geospatial and non-geospatial data for visualisation... 

Company meets demands amid pandemic challenges

Foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie has received multiple orders to manufacture components for the pyrometallurgical industry. The company continues to manufacture copper components for... 

NDT viable in volatile environments

Rope access specialist Skyriders provides non-destructive testing (NDT) for a large petrochemicals producer in South Africa. “NDT comprises a number of techniques that enable us to evaluate and... 

Used equipment gaining traction

Earthmoving equipment supplier Goscor Earthmoving, an accredited dealer of heavy equipment manufacturer SANY equipment, has noted an increase in the popularity of used materials-handling equipment... 

Pallet-free logistics rising slowly but steadily

As society at large becomes more aware of the environmental concerns of using traditional wooden pallets, pallet-free bulk bags manufacturer Tellap tells Mining Weekly that it has observed a trend... 

Li-ion developments driving standby power system

With the increasing demand and overall benefits of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, industrial Li-ion battery supplier CHASE Technologies is developing a standby power system. 

Low-pressure mist solution effectively mitigates dust

To mitigate fugitive dust emissions at mining operations, environmental solutions company I-CAT offers end-to-end integrated dust-management solutions that comply with all relevant industry... 

New reagent increases recovery of phosphate

Chemical reagents supplier and distributor Axis House has launched an extension to its phosphate range to include defoamer and decadmiation products in addition to the existing Rinkalore collector... 

Regulations, pricing a challenge for local LNG uptake

Despite there being vast benefits to using liquefied natural gas (LNG) locally, natural gas producer Renergen tells Engineering News that regulations and pricing are impeding the growth of the LNG... 

LPG upcoming in SA’s energy mix

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has an important role to play in the complete energy mix of South Africa – it is a clean-burning, sustainable and portable fuel, with further applications in water... 

Environment-friendly catalysts reduce emissions

High-performance catalyst manufacturer Clariant Catalysts has developed the EnviCat N2O catalyst, to remove nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) gases almost entirely from the waste gases... 

Digital twin manages mining assets with 3D technology

Drone survey and inspection specialist Rocketmine has designed and developed the digital twin solution that enables mine operators to successfully visualise and monitor mining operations through... 

Fluid testing, an aid for precise drilling

Global mining technology company IMDEX developed the IMDEX MUD Automated In-field Diagnosis (AID) to optimise fluid management, as drilling fluids can be critical to how successfully the drilling... 

Solution enables contamination visualisation

Global geoscience software company Seequent’s contaminants extension for its three-dimensional (3D) modelling and analysis solution, Leapfrog Works, was launched to provide users with accurate...